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Poster for Bluestone 42

Bluestone 42

Seen it?

2013 | 3 seasons | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, War & Politics

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a short run with a modest audience and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved M*A*S*H, start here.
The mood
Darkly funny, intense.
The pace
3 seasons: a few weeks of evenings, short, snackable episodes, about 10 hours in all.
What might put you off
Nothing much for most grown-ups.

Bluestone 42 is a comedy drama about a British bomb disposal detachment in Afghanistan. So what’s the average working day for a hero? Make your keen young colleague deal with the boring paperwork? Wind up your fellow employees? Flirt with the new girl on the team? Or deal with an unseen enemy who’s trying to blow you up? Bluestone 42 is a comedy drama about a bunch of soldiers who just happen to be risking their lives diffusing hidden bombs. But who says they can’t have some fun alongside the serious professional stuff? This hilarious and often surprising series follows the adventures of a bunch of diverse characters living and working together at an army base in Afghanistan. This is a show about something easily forgotten; soldiers really enjoy being soldiers, but it’s not just a show for soldiers and it’s not just about the Army: it’s also a show for anybody who has ever fallen in love, experienced status battles at work or had a fear of failure. It is packed with the lively workmate banter and relationship minefields that most people will recognise. Even if they don’t face danger on a daily basis...

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    Generally positive reviews

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Ran for 3 seasons and reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 36K people sought it out in the past year

Season by season

The show overall is a Weeknight Watch. Here's how each season stacks up; Series 2 is the high point.

  1. Weeknight Watch
    Series 12013 · 8 episodes · 6.9 out of 10
    Weeknight
  2. Sunday Safe Bet
    Series 22014 · 6 episodes · 7.6 out of 10
    Sunday
  3. Sunday Safe Bet
    Series 32015 · 6 episodes · 7.5 out of 10
    Sunday

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Created by Richard Hurst, James Cary

  • Tony GardnerLieutenant Colonel Smith
  • Keeno Lee HectorFaruq
  • Scott HoatsonRocket
  • Matthew LewisTower Block
  • Katie LyonsBird
  • Jamie QuinnMac
  • Stephen WightSimon